good food with simple ingredients

Chicken Kofta In A Korma Curry With Sonals Awesome Spice Mix

by apuginthekitchen on January 20, 2015

Kofta Korma

I received an email, from Sonal@SimplyVegetarian777, in case you don’t know who she is PLEASE check out her blog, Sonal very generously offered to send me some of her AMAZING spice mixes. I couldn’t type fast enough because I was so excited. I have mad respect for Sonal as a cook and a blogger and am mesmerized by not just her amazing Vegetarian recipes but by her gorgeous photography as well and she absolutely blew me away with her generosity, The other day I went to my mailbox and I didn’t even have to open it because I knew it was here, the aroma that came from my mailbox was intoxicating. She sent her curry mix, a tandoori marinade and Kasuri Methi. I agonized over what to make, perusing her recipes and then I remembered a recipe she actually chose for me to make, her vegetable korma, I love korma, as a matter of fact whenever I eat at an Indian restaurant it’s what I order every single time. Instead of making it with vegetables I thought I would make small chicken meatballs or kofta, kind of like an Indian version of Swedish meatballs. I am serving this with basmati rice but it can also be served with naan or flatbread. I put my own spin on Sonal’s delicious recipe, using what I had in my pantry and refrigerator, the changes were minor and the result was amazing. I attribute this to the expert blending of the spices, I also must add that this recipe is quick and easy to make and because I used a spice mix I didn’t have to measure lots of different spices, the work was done for me and the results could not have been more delicious.

Sonal’s Spice Mix

You MUST make note that Sonal’s awesome and delicious spice mixes will soon be available to all of us, yes she is marketing and selling her spice mixes, small batch hand mixed and utterly delicious. Keep watching her site for more information on how to order.

Kofta

Adapted from Sonal’s recipe for Kofta

1 lb ground chicken

1 egg

1 tbs greek yogurt

1 heaping tbs dried bread crumbs

1 tsp minced ginger

1/2 small onion minced

1 clove garlic minced

1 tbs kasuri methi

2 tbs cilantro chopped or parsley is fine too

1 tsp garam masala

salt and pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients and form into small balls which you set on parchment lined baking sheet. Heat your fry pay or skillet with some oil. Add the kofta with space in between each and fry until nicely browned on all sides. Remove from oil and place back on parchment sheet and put in warm oven (170 degree’s) until you are ready to add to the korma.

Korma Paste:

2 tbs cashew nuts soaked for 10-15 minutes in 1/4 cup warm water

2 tbs unsweetened coconut flakes (I only had sweetened and it still turned out great, not sweet at all)

Place everything in the blender and process until it’s a thick smooth paste

Look at the gorgeous color

Making the Korma:

2 tbs ghee, butter or oil

1 cinnamon stick

1 bay leaf

1 1/2-2 tsp Sonal’s curry spice mix

1 1/2 cups water

Place ghee,butter or oil in a saucepan, heat on medium high until hot. Add the cinnamon stick and bay leaf and heat for a couple of minutes, add the Korma paste and cook about 5-7 minutes on medium heat, don’t brown, you want it to retain it’s yellow color. Add the curry spice mix and continue to cook for another few minutes, add the kofta and water and cook on medium high heat for about 15 minutes uncovered. It will thicken nicely. Serve with rice or naan or flat bread and maybe some pickled vegetables.

Suzanne–this looks beyond delicious! I’ve been on an Indian kick lately because food is often naturally gluten-free. Though by kick, I mean Seamless, not cooking. I’ve been meaning to expand my recipe box for a while now. This will be on the list, with GF breadcrumbs of course 🙂

Thanks Melissa, you don’t need the breadcrumbs, Sonal’s recipe didn’t call for them. You can’t take the Italian out of me, the bread in meatball thing. Highly recommend Sonal’s spice mixes. They are amazing.

Suzanne, this looks SO delicious! I’m so excited about Sonal’s new venture… and cannot wait until she starts selling her spices! You’ve made such a beautiful korma… I can almost smell the wonderful aromas coming from your photos! Lovely post! ❤

Thank you it was my first ever. Never made Korma before well never really made real Indian food at all. I love it and eat it out in restaurants all the time. This was a revelation and Sonal’s spices are the very best.

Yummy! It appears your agonizing over what to make with Sonal’s spices really paid off… this chicken kofta looks fabulous! Your photos are beautiful and make me want to dig in and have a helping (or two!). I’ve also been experimenting with the spices… the hardest part was finding the “perfect” ingredients/recipes so I don’t waste them before we can actually purchase replacements! Thanks for sharing your successful recipe!

Oh oh oh my goodness that looks fantastic! That was so generous and thoughtful of Sonal, and what a beautiful dish you made from her spices! I just want to top it with fresh cilantro and pour it straight into my mouth.

Hey, I am a korma freak too! And kofta. Most of my Indian food blogging friends know this, but you must have read my mind! You should write to ikea and see if they’d feature your indian meatballs and gravy! Isn’t it great, also, how you only have to use a teeny bit of Sonal’s spices and you get a flavor bomb for days? Great job, team Sonal!!

Some of you ladies have been so fortunate to be the be the recipient of Sonal’s spices. Was there a competition that perhaps I’d missed somewhere? Ha ha, just kidding. Your korma looks amazing Suzanne. I can’t believe this is only the second time you’ve cooked an Indian meal, by reading through your post, it seems you really had a handle on it. Delicious 🙂

Thanks Loretta, I was afraid of spicing. Silly right but it’s a fear of mine or really a lack of confidence. I love Indian food and admire the spicing greatly. This is a wonderful dish and I can’t say enough about the spice mix. It really sets this dish apart and makes it special.

Looks amazing Suzanne! I think that is so sweet of your friend to send you all those spices…I bet the aromas were to die for! I’m not really familiar with this type of food since I never ate any growing up, so I love reading about it and seeing these beautiful spices. It was always Mexican and BBQ, hence why I always create recipes with those flavors, haha…they are my favorite by far!

I know what you mean, I never tasted many different types of food when I was growing up. Italian was the mainstay and on occasion we had Chinese takeout. Never tasted any other type of food until I moved away from home and went to College. The spices are amazing, thanks Brandi.

Today is my blessed day Suzanne :). I am feeling so so so overwhelmed. The spices that I sent to all my blogger buddies without expecting anything in back, have come back to me as winning trophies and shining medals. You have created one heck of a dish there. Absolutely gorgeous. I plan to compile all the recipes on my spice blog soon and available as links. Thank you thank you thank you so much! Your friendship means so much to me. The idea behind creating these spice blend was to cut out the various spice steps totally and make it a “one step” spice cooking. I am registering my company as “The Spice Factory”. It will be out soon :).
Love
Sonal

Thank you, you have to understand that as much as I love the food of India, I was terrified to make it myself and to someone who is so gifted with spicing it may sound funny but I am truly challenged when it comes to spicing and that is the hallmark of delicious Indian food, Your spice mix has enabled me to make the food I love. I have tried spice blends prepared and sold commercially, not so good. I have tried to blend my own but I am just not able to get that perfect balance you have done that for me, thank you Sonal for being the inspiration you are, I cannot wait until you open for business I want to be one of your first orders.

Chicken Kofta has a special place in my heart. It reminds me of when I lived 1 block away from 6th street between 1st and 2nd avenue in the East Village and would often dine on the Indian restaurant strip located there with friends. Looks great!

That’s awesome to know! Where did you live? I lived on 5th street between 2nd and 3rd avenue. And even though that area was like a zoo late into the night, my flat faced the inside courtyard and was probably the most quiet and serene place I ever lived in the 10 years I lived in Manhattan.

Lower East Side, East Houston between Avenue’s A and B. I worked near NYU so I walked all over the place when I lived in the city. It was far from quiet where I was, it was fun though. I love walking around St. Marks place there was an awesome Afghan restaurant, the Indian restaurants, the pickle store, bialy store, Katz’s deli oh there was so many great places to eat.

Suzanne, you took the words out of my mouth. As much as I love Indian food, I was intimidated to put it together myself. Sonal’s fresh spices took the scare out of scary. Your recipe looks amazing, and another Indian recipe that even I could attempt.

Wow Suzanne you under estimate yourself-stop that! Ha. As Liz, I was drooling on my keypad!!! Winner-Winner! Your Florida Bud Cheryl
PS Things thawing out and melting? I sent you and Prudy a bunch of Sunshine!!!

Hi Suzanne, A good friend in (Trenton) New Jersey area called and told me about the weather conditions (but you had shared with me already…), nasty, scary whenever there is ice! Glad things are beginning to improve. Stay warm, safe! Keep cooking these fabulous dishes! Your Florida Bud. Cheryl.

Yes Nando has a small wardrobe of coats and sweaters my latest purchase is a down faux Canada Goose coat called Canada Pooch, has the patch on it just like Canada Goose, he has rainwear too. Protecting his paws is challenging but I recently found these great socks with rubber soles that Nando actually wears. He has neuropathy so protecting his feet is very important in the cold and icy conditions. It’s not a silly question at all.

This DOES look intoxicating Suzanne– I think I can get my hands on all the ingredients except the kasuri methi!! Will you tell us when we can send for some? That bowl looks like it’s bursting with flavor!

Korma is my favorite flavor in Indian food. Lamb korma is my go-to dish, though I do love everything else on Sonal’s blog. Kofta is such a universal staple too. What a delicious-looking bowl. I just want to dive into it now! This is seriously a craving now. I may have to get indian food for lunch!

Me too, I’m like a broken record when I go to an Indian restaurant I get the same thing every time, chicken korma and saag paneer. Love them both, I want to make it again now the spices are so delicious.

Oh, how lovely of Sonal… and I wish her much success with her new endeavor. If it is from Sonal, we know it is going to be perfect! A~n~d, what you have done with it, Suzanne, is marvelous. I can almost smell your korma with kofta curry. Very aromatic post! 😀

That’s so special… to be sent some samples of Sonal’s very own spices to try! I’m sure you’ve made her super proud with this packed-full-of-flavour dish. Love the aromas of Indian food cooking in my kitchen!

That looks better than anything I’ve had in a restaurant and I think I can smell the aroma coming right out of my computer screen! Great story and great pictures, too! You and Sonal have outdone yourselves!!

Oh, we are so similar, Suzanne! I always order chicken korma when I go to our local Indian restaurant! It is so delicious, I could very easily overeat every single time! Your korma looks and sounds delicious, too! Lucky you having those spices sent right to your mailbox! 🙂

Thats funny, it’s my favorite. I also get saag paneer every time as well. I enjoy it if someone I’m with orders something different so I can taste it, I’m a creature of habit I’m afraid. Thank you so much, yes those spices are amazing and the Korma was so easy to make.

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